After the curtain fell on the 2026 FIFA World Cup, hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, the numbers and statistics began to reveal many aspects that will immortalize this tournament as a turning point in the history of the world's most popular event.

For the first time, the tournament featured 48 teams instead of 32, with 104 matches played, the highest number in World Cup history, following the adoption of a new system that gave more teams the opportunity to compete on the global stage.

Spain was crowned World Cup champions for the second time in its history, after defeating Argentina in the final.

Breaking Records

The tournament broke the attendance record, with total stadium attendance exceeding 7 million spectators, the highest figure ever recorded in World Cup finals history, amid full stadiums and unprecedented fan turnout in the three host countries.

Stadiums recorded a record occupancy rate of 99.7% of total capacity, despite ongoing controversy over high ticket prices, while the average attendance per match was 65,351 spectators.

The International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) said that television viewing records were broken both in the host countries and around the world.

The federation has not yet published detailed figures, but US President Donald Trump referred to 'nearly six billion viewers.'

Before the start of the 2026 edition, it was expected that broadcasting rights revenues would increase by 34%, approaching four billion dollars, and sponsorship revenues by 21%.

Incredible Engagement

FIFA also confirmed that the tournament achieved great success on social media and the internet. It estimated that 'by the end of the round of 16, 5.2 billion people, nearly two-thirds of the world's population, had interacted with the tournament at least once.'

Of the $3.7 billion FIFA planned to spend on the World Cup, a quarter was allocated to participating teams and to the clubs that allowed their international players to participate.

The total prize money was also raised in late April by 15% to $871 million, compared to $440 million for the Qatar edition.

Between the record numbers, organizational successes, and exciting football competition, the 2026 edition cemented its place as one of the most impactful World Cups in history, leaving a sporting and organizational legacy that will serve as a starting point for future editions of the tournament.